Belt Ranks

Significance of Belt Colors

The ITF ranking system consists of six belts: white, yellow, green, blue, red and black. White is given to beginners and black is given to students who have progressed through the grades and have a solid foundation for learning the techniques of Tae Kwon-Do.

10th gup (white)

9th gup (white with yellow stripe)

8th gup (yellow)

7th gup (yellow with green stripe)

6th gup (green)

5th gup (green with blue stripe)

4th gup (blue)

3rd gup (blue with red stripe)

2nd gup (red)

1st gup (red with a black stripe)

1st-3rd dan (black) with the title of Assistant Instructor (Boo-sabum)

4th-6th dan (black) with the title of Instructor (Sabum)

7th-8th dan (black) with the title of Master (Sahyun)

9th dan (black) with the title of Grand Master (Saseong)

Note – community service is encouraged throughout promotion and is required at Black Belt

The definitions of the belts are as follows:

White Belt

Signifies innocence, as that of the beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Tae Kwon-Do.

Yellow Belt

Signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the foundation of Tae Kwon-Do is being laid.

Green Belt

Signifies the plant’s growth as Tae Kwon-Do skills begin to develop.

Blue Belt

Signifies the Heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Tae Kwon-Do progresses.

Red Belt

Signifies Danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away.

Black Belt

Opposite of white, therefore signifying the maturity and proficiency in Tae Kwon-Do, also indicates the wearer’s imperviousness to darkness and fear.